Random Thoughts

Just some random thoughts on recent events in everyday life.

My hubby loves to make fun of my holiday obsession though he adds to it. I have six boxes of decorations that we begin unpacking the day after Thanksgiving. He forgets he's the one who has bought me a large amount of the items I place around the house. This weekend he brought home the latest Snow Buddy for my collection. Isn't he sweet?

(image courtesy of Hallmark.com)

Another funny moment with the hubby included an old tv show I love. I am currently rewatching episodes via Netflix and hubby walked in and commented on why no one knew the character Cole was evil. I was so proud of him because a. he knew the character name and b. he knew the history of the character. I had to explain that I was watching the episode where the character was introduced, so we didn't know the history yet.

I find it humorous that Dawne, who I deem a very sensible person has become sucked into the Twilight phenom. I asked her to explain to me why she had to read 180 pages after working the night shift, why she couldn't put the book down? She can't explain.

Steve stopped me the other day to ask if I knew the SEC had signed a big deal with ESPN. I was not aware of the deal, so had to look into it. Basically it means more SEC football on ABC and ESPN. Woo-hoo, sort of! I don't subscribe to cable, so I'll only benefit if the games are on ABC. Can't wait for college football season.

Cheryl had sent a request via facebook for someone to join her for the U2 concert in Tampa. I debated it, but decided I couldn't fly down for a concert. Last week she informed me that Muse is the opening act. I am absolutely jealous and wished I had agreed to fly down. After looking to see if there were tickets left for the Chicago show, which there are, I was disappointed to discover Muse was not the opening act up here. I'll have to remain jealous of Cheryl.

Visit with Cheryl

Cheryl and family were visiting Cleveland, so I took a jaunt over to see them. It was so worth the trip. We had a blast hanging out. We went to the Leaping Lizard for lunch with Phil and the girls (finally some great wings). Followed by a day at the Rock Hall of Fame, which I need to go back to visit, since we closed the museum and there is so much to see. The last 15 minutes included us running upto the top two floors to see the Springsteen exhibit. I thought no one could shop like Michelle at Margaritaville, but Cheryl has won the prize. The moment she said, I need a mouse pad for work, I knew I was in trouble. Did you know Cleveland is on Lake Erie? One of these days, I will know my geography of the Great Lakes. I was duly impressed. We ended the day having dinner in Little Italy, which I hope to return as well. Overall a great day! Nice to see a friend and have fun conversation. Now, all I need is for the rest of my Florida friends to visit and I'll be set. Thanks to Phil for watching the girls so Cheryl and I could hang out, to my hubby who took care of the animals, and to Cheryl for showing me around Cleveland and taking time out of her busy travel schedule to hang out.

Give a Compliment

The past few weeks have been a little rough out in customer service land. People have been abrupt, rude, and plain mean at times. I truly believe we have too much on our minds and are facing too many hardships, so we don't realize how we come across to others or how we are taking out our own problems on other people. I have come to question my own customer service skills as well since it used to be one rough customer a day and now...well, it's definitely more than one. I've taken some comfort in talking to others and realizing it's not only me who has noticed this downward spiral in niceties.

On Saturday, I received a very sweet compliment from a customer who had been visiting our facility for the past week. After talking with her, I felt an uplift in spirit and realized how desperately I needed to hear those simple words from someone. It renewed my belief in my own skills as well as made me realize how much we take kindness for granted.

My sage advice for the day is give a compliment. If you receive good service or think someone is doing a good job, let them know. They may be having a rough time of it and your few kind words may help.

Slug

Recently, I've found myself a little sluggish. Instead of going about my free time working on various projects, I've been vegging out in front of the tv. I know it's humorous considering I don't really have a tv, but I've been watching a lot of DVDs rather than being productive. It's not that I'm depressed or unmotivated, I just crave the mindless time. Even reading holds less appeal to the tv at the moment. I know that's a shocking statement.

Do others get this way? Where there is nothing else going on in your life except going home and truly crashing? I used to say I was going home and crashing, but that meant working out, taking the dog for a 2.5 mile walk, working on my book, or reading.

Tomorrow is another day off, I hope it means a productive day for me. If anything, I may finally finish the entire Friends DVD set. An entire 10 years of the show, plus commentary. Sigh, many wasted hours.

How do you waste time or slug around?

Goodreads Discussion

Considering some discussions my friends and I have on certain books, I expected comments on my blog when I brought up certain books, but usually don't receive any. I also place brief reviews on Goodreads and periodically receive feedback. Last week, Michelle finished Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris and I posted a brief comment on her review, which has led to 12 comments that I have found humorous. I love these debates. Feel free to add your opinion if you would like.

M- I can't believe you are still a Bill-hater. He "slightly" redeems himself in this book.

M- Yeah . . . still don't like him.

K- I feel bad for him - I think he really loves Sookie and he blew it. Maybe he'll keep her on True Blood.

M- They made Eric do something despicable on TB that I think Sookie may not be able to forgive, whereas Bill is more redeemable on the show so far. As for the books, my opinion of Bill changed with this book. Hearing Eric's story showed how Bill had no control over his betrayal of Sookie. When he was willing to give his life to protect her, I finally caved and accepted him as a contender again. Yes, I was a Bill-hater, but now I'm in wait and see mode. Where the hell was Eric during this time? During the book, I thought Eric viewed Sookie as a more of a possession or obsession rather than a lover.

K- I think Eric does truly love her, at least in the books. He's amazed he does, but he does. On the show he (at least at this point) seems to enjoy Sookie and equally enjoy pushing Bill's buttons by showing he likes her.

I think they did the Lafayette thing just to have a way to keep him alive yet out of the way for a few days. I'm not sure book-Eric would have done that - didn't seem his style.

M- I still haven't watched TB, though the more y'all talk about it the more I want to go out and buy it.

B- As far as the books go, I was never a Bill-hater but I was never a Bill-lover either. I always thought that he loved Sookie and I understood why he did certain things. That said, I don't think understanding why or believing in the love is enough. Some things just can't be recovered from.

I agree with Kelasher--I think Eric does truly love Sookie.

I haven't watched any TB Season 2 episodes yet--based on the first season though, Bill does come across better than he does in the books.

D- Sorry, I think Eric without his memory loved Sookie, and he kinda remembers that, but I think Eric, a Big Vampire is just drawn to her. Now, Bill really loves her. I think he HAD to do what he's done in the past, but he loves her. I still think he will die in the end though. Wish he wouldn't, but....

K- Why do you think he will die? I've heard Charlaine Harris does kill off major characters sometimes, but I can't see her killing Bill.

D- No, she won't kill him. Maybe if the series had stayed as light as it started (yeah, people died, but they were unknown victims), he would have lived and they would have had a HEA. But I guess my American lit classes are kicking in and, as much as I like Bill, the question is has he been able to redeem himself enough to have an HEA? He's so tortured.... sigh. Now, I can see Eric surviving whatever epic showdown is coming with the forces of *evil* and though he will lust forever for Sookie, he's not the one with whom she will find happiness. I wish it could be Bill.

M- Of course, Eric or Bill will die or something bad will happen to make one of them unacceptable enough that we won't cheer them on. One of the chief complaints about Meyer's books was how easily Bella and Jacob became friends after the final decision. You can't be friends with someone who has been a major competitor for your heart.

With Bill's willingness to die for Sookie, he can't lose her and accept it, so the option is he wins her or ultimately dies for her. He won't simply walk away and accept her love of another man.

Harris is willing to go dark. She's willing to kill off a major character for the plot. I can see it happening. It's not a done deal, but it's a possibility.

M- OK, here's my two cents: I don't think she will end up with Bill or Eric in the end (at least not as the characters are now, they are both too flawed.) I think she will end up with someone else. . . Sam perhaps. I have already told Mel that I love Eric, but if Sookie had a chance with Sam, I would drop Eric in a heartbeat. He is just too sweet. He lets her be herself, he understands her problems and does not try to manipulate her. He cares about her, but still lets her make her own mistakes.

What do you think?

"The Moment"

I had "the moment" this weekend. You know the one I'm talking about. "The moment" you realize your body is not keeping up with you. I know many will say I should have caught onto this a while ago considering my many injuries, but really it did not happen until this weekend. Through the years, I have pushed myself though I tore a tendon in my thumb doing judo, torn the ligament in my ankle while hiking, injured my back several times, wear "ugly" shoes for my heel and ankle problems, and recently the wrist and elbow injuries thanks to overuse. None of these created "the moment" for me, until Sunday.

I have increased my workout routine trying to get back into gear and have suffered through sore knees, thighs, and shoulders. Not a problem! I tried a new exercise that left me flailing on the ground in pain unable to move except to whine. I managed to reach for my cell phone at one point, but wondered who I could call. I mean it would be embarrassing to have someone find me laying on the ground writhing in pain. After a while, I was able to stand and walk off some of the pain. Today, I am still feeling the effects of my injury and am left wondering if I have pushed my limit of endurance.

For those who are curious, the animals were no where to be found. They didn't come out of their areas to check on me to make sure I was okay. How's that for love?

What Goals?

It's midway through the year hence time to review my goals. I'm a little scared to see where my priorities have shifted.

1. Travel
I've been to Michigan, Florida, North Carolina, Illinois, and Ohio this year, so I've met my 4 trips plus one goal. Also Michelle and I will visit Chicago again this fall along with the hubby and I continuing our hiking expeditions, so I will exceed my plans.

2. Writing
Even with the injury I have finished my second story and am currently editing and cleaning it up. I've had 4 people review my first work and have now shut it away for the time being while keeping their critiques in mind while looking over my current work. I want to alter this goal to incorporate finalizing the second story and having people review it before the end of the year.

3. Workout
What workout? With the wrist and elbow problems and resulting stomach issues thanks to the pain medicine, I had stopped working out and met my all-time "Indiana" weight, not to be confused with the all-time top weight. I have started another heavy workout routine this week, plus hubby and I have been hiking again, so maybe I can get back into the groove.

4. Society Membership
Once again, I have dropped the ball, but not intentionally. I really was making an effort, but certain (clearing my throat) family members have not sent me copies of specific documents.

Curious how it will end.

Queen Cleo

Queen Cleo visited the vet this weekend for a routine physical. Usually these visits are very harrowing experiences, but this year there was no need for sedation. Always enjoy a visit where the cat doesn't destroy something in the vet's office. All around a clean bill of health with the exception of her obesity which is causing her some wheezing.

Apparently, the diet food and limited portions has not stopped her weight from increasing and we were told to limit her food intake further. We practiced it this weekend only to discover she can tell there is less food in the bowl. She was knocking her bowl around at 11:00 last night demanding to be fed. The hubby and I have different views of how to handle the situation. He thinks we should let her be happy and feed her our previous limited amount. I think we should try the new method for a while and see if she adapts because I'm worried about her. What do you think?

Birthday

I'm a little delinquent in this post, but I couldn't get the new camera to download correctly and had to wait on the pic. I have to thank everyone who sent cards and well wishes, it was so thoughtful. I had a wonderful birthday this year, besides the hubby taking me hiking and dinner, I spent the day at work with friends and had a nice night out with the ladies. I received a wonderful batch of cards from friends. My top 3 are from dad (about my stubbornness), Becky (sexual innuendo), and Michelle (great friends).

Dinner was fun and we had a great chat that included 'ugly-sexy' and 'creepy-good'men among our many quips. Delia, is a peach, who organized the dinner and took pics for me. She invited Kay, Sarai, and Becky along. Way too many laughs at the table and our waiter abandoned us at some point.

The best phone call I received besides the one of mom singing was from my nieces. The eldest niece informed me that she saw on a tv show that "30s isn't that old anymore." My youngest niece made me choke up with tears. She had undergone surgery less than a month ago that would improve her hearing, which would lead to her talking. She was on the phone, garbling at me when she said "I love you." It was so touching.

Plans for next year are big! Crystal, my other June pal, has a grand plan of us traveling for our birthdays next year. Thanks for great memories this year!